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"And Become as Fellow Brothers and Slaves of Allah"
Author : His Grace Shiekh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh
Date Added : 18-10-2023

"And Become as Fellow Brothers and Slaves of Allah"

 

 

Allah, the Almighty, has made the believers brethren, bound together by mutual love and affection, with no room for enmity or hatred. They should not bear grudges, engage in conflict, or fight with one another. Among the implications of this brotherhood in faith are love, compassion, cooperation, and unity.

 

When disagreement or bloodshed occurs, this is an exception that must be resolved and returned to the original state immediately, as stated in the verse: "So make settlement between your brothers" {Al-Hujurat, 49}. It is an obligation resulting from the brotherhood of faith to reconcile between those in conflict. Moreover, the bond of faith demands hindering divisions and animosities from festering. The Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, said: "Do not envy one another, and do not inflate prices for one another, and do not hate one another, and do not turn away from one another, and do not undercut one another in trade, but [rather] be slaves of Allah and brothers [amongst yourselves]. " {Transmitted by Bukhari and Muslim}.

 

The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever. This is a confirmation of the importance of love and the obligation of brotherhood among them.

 

It is incumbent upon the believers to cooperate with the authority when trials occur so that tribulations do not multiply, and discord does not increase. There is no reason significant enough to justify dividing the bonds of brotherhood, love, and affection among Muslims. Therefore, it is obligatory for every sincere individual, committed to their religion, homeland, and nation, to strive to extinguish the flames of discord and close all its sources. Allah says in the Quran: "for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter." {Al-Baqara, 191}.

 

Indeed, we all know the purity of a Muslim's heart and their gentle nature, but this should not be exploited to make them a misguided and reckless, blind in both sight and heart. Allah warns us that whenever they are turned back to fitnah (discord), they plunge into it deeply. {An-Nisa, 91}, meaning that they return to it and get deeply involved in it in the worst way.

 

When we see strife separating brothers and loved ones, even between members of the same tribe and the same country, we must return to the fearing of Allah, especially as we find in every tribe unique models of noble virtues and moral qualities. Men whom Allah has endowed with qualities and virtues that qualify them to uproot discord from its roots in compliance with the saying of Allah the Almighty: "But whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward is [due] from Allah." {Ash-Shura, 40}.

They are the ones who will respond to the great call on the Day of Judgment, as mentioned in the hadith: "When it is the Day of Judgment, a caller from beneath the Throne will announce: 'Let the one who has a reward from Allah arise,' and no one will stand except those who have forgiven their brothers." {Reported by Al-Khatib Al-Baghdadi in "Tarikh Baghdad"}. Ibn Kathir commented: "Allah encourages forgiveness, and whoever forgives, Allah will not waste that virtue. In the noble hadith: "Allah does not increase His servant due to his forgiveness except in honor.'" {Reported by Muslim}.

 

In this blessed country, there are wise and righteous men who rise above grudges and prejudice. Allah has instilled in their hearts the sentiments of tolerance and love. Moreover, Islam has removed animosity and hatred from their hearts and filled them with wisdom, mercy, patience, and forgiveness. There is a strong connection between their self-confidence, their faith, their homeland, and their nation. The greater a person is, the broader their perspective becomes, the larger their heart opens, and the more patience and excuses they extend to others for their mistakes and shortcomings. Their motto is taken from the Quran: "Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient, then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good." {Yusuf, 90}.

 

Indeed, the more faith grows in the heart of a believer, the more it nurtures tolerance, increases patience, and expels the desire for vengeance and retribution against those who have wronged them. This is to the extent that a Muslim controls themselves, restrains their anger, masters their words, forgives those who wrong them, and is adorned with noble and beautiful qualities and character, their status is elevated in the sight of Allah. For them, there is a paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous. As Allah says, "So hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous, who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people, and Allah loves the doers of good." {Al-Imran, 133-134}.These believers are unwavering in their generosity, sacrifice, and giving, and neither prosperity nor adversity changes them. They offer forgiveness and tolerance after restraining their anger, for they are among the doers of good.

 

Certainly, emulating and following the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his noble companions undoubtedly increases faith and fosters the development of great character.

Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) had a relative whom he supported. However, this relative did not refrain from making inappropriate comments about the honor of Aisha, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her). This relative's actions disregarded the rights of Islam, family ties, and traditional values. This greatly upset Abu Bakr and led him to swear that he would cut ties with this relative. Then, the verse from the Quran was revealed: " Let not those among you who are endued with grace and amplitude of means resolve by oath against helping their kinsmen, those in want, and those who have left their homes in God’s cause: let them forgive and overlook, do you not wish that God should forgive you? For God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." {An-Nur, 22}. Upon this revelation, Abu Bakr forgave his relative and resumed his support, saying, "I would love that Allah forgives me."

 

Islam abhors the kind of tribalism that leads to the unjust shedding of blood. In a well-known hadith, the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) emphasized that we should not revert to disbelief after him by fighting one another: "Do not become disbelievers after me by striking the necks of one another." {Transmitted by Bukhari}. Killing a soul without just cause is considered a grave sin in Islam. The Quran states: " On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people:" {Al-Mai`dah, 32}. Islam encourages beautiful traits like righteousness, piety, patience, and faith. It advocates for wisdom, dialogue, and the rejection of violence and terrorism.

 

Indeed, what some people claim about taking personal vengeance is contrary to the principles of Islamic law. It violates the right of those in authority to pursue criminals and administer justice. If everyone were allowed to take personal vengeance, it would lead to widespread chaos and violence. Islam does not permit the killing of innocent people, and the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) made it clear that the unjust killing of a believer is a grave sin. He said: "By the One in Whose hand my soul is, the killing of a believer is greater with Allah than the extinction of the whole world." {Transmitted by An-Nasa`i}.

Yes, the Devil failed to make a rational person an idol worshiper, but he cannot fail to create a distance between that person and Allah. At that point, the person becomes ignorant of Allah's rights. The Devil kindles the fires of enmity in people's hearts. When they ignite, the Devil delights in seeing them scorch the present and future of the people, consuming their bonds and virtues. It becomes easy for him to undermine Allah`s order on Earth.

 

With these noble Islamic guidelines, Islam combats enmity and the ignition of discord. It kills these germs from their inception, and thus the Muslim community ascends to a high level of mercy, love, and brotherhood, which are the characteristics of the righteous.

 

O Allah, we seek refuge in You from the trials, whether apparent or hidden.

 

 

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on the prayer of zawal?

 

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is recommended (sunnah) to pray four rakʿāt — either with a single tasleem or as two separate sets of two rakʿāt — immediately following the sun's decline from its zenith (zawāl). This prayer is distinct from the regular Sunnah prayer of Ẓuhr (sunnat al-ẓuhr al-rātibah), as explicitly stated by the Shāfiʿī jurists.
It is mentioned in Nihāyat al-Muḥtāj: "The prayer of zawāl is offered after the sun's decline — so were one to perform it before that, it would not count. It consists of two or four rakʿāt and is distinct from the Sunnah of Ẓuhr, as is evident from the fact that it is mentioned separately after the regular Sunnah prayers, and it becomes a make-up prayer (qaḍāʾ) if a long period of time passes by customary reckoning... Al-ʿAlqamī stated: 'Scholars refer to this as the Sunnah of Zawāl, and it is distinct from the four rakʿāt that constitute the Sunnah of Ẓuhr.' Our shaykh said: Al-Ḥāfiẓ al-ʿIrāqī stated that among those who explicitly affirmed its recommendation was al-Ghazālī in al-Iḥyāʾ, in the chapter on devotional litanies, noting that there is no tasleem between them — meaning there is no break between each pair of rakʿāt."
The time of the sun's decline (zawāl) marks the very beginning of the time for the Ẓuhr prayer.
And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the meaning of the Prophetic statement that a boy is held in pledge (murtahan) for his 'aqīqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The first interpretation: That if the boy dies in infancy without an 'aqīqah having been performed on his behalf, he will not intercede for his parents on the Day of Resurrection. This is the position of Imam Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, and Imam al-Khaṭṭābī concurred with him, stating: "The finest of what has been said regarding this matter is the position adopted by Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal." — [Fatḥ al-Bārī by Ibn Ḥajar,{Vol.9/P.594]
The second interpretation: That the child is likened to a pledged object (marhūn) — one from which full benefit and enjoyment cannot be derived until it is redeemed. A blessing is only made complete upon the one blessed when they fulfil the obligation of gratitude (shukr), and the prescribed expression of gratitude for this particular blessing is what the Prophet ﷺ established as Sunnah — namely, the slaughtering of the 'aqīqah on behalf of the newborn as an act of thankfulness to Allah the Almighty and as a supplication for the wellbeing and safety of the child. This is the position of Mullā 'Alī al-Qārī. See: [Mirqāt al-Mafātīḥ Sharḥ Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ, Vol.7/P.2688]
And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on offering a sheep as a sacrifice (Udhiyah) if its fat-tail is sound, except that when it was young, the tip of its fat-tail was cut so that it would grow larger? And what is the ruling in case of doubt regarding the amount that was cut?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Cutting a minor, insignificant portion from the tip of an animal's fat-tail (al-alyah) to encourage it to grow larger is not considered a defect, and it does not prevent the animal from being valid for sacrifice (Udhiyah).
 
It is stated in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (Vol.9/P.352): "There is some scholarly deliberation regarding the common practice of cutting the tip of the fat-tail so that it grows larger. It could potentially be likened to a partial cut of the ear—supported by the jurists' general rule: 'even if it is a small amount.' On the other hand, if it is an exceptionally minor cut, it might have no effect on validity. This is explicitly clarified by the juristic exception to the general rule, which states that cutting a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm. This latter view is more well-founded.
 
Furthermore, I found that some scholars investigated this matter and concluded: 'It should not affect validity if a custom-sanctioned portion of its fat-tail is removed during its youth to make it grow larger and look better, just as castrating a male animal causes no harm.' However, applying this unconditionally contradicts the established texts of the jurists, as understood from what I have laid out; thus, the restriction I specified is what must be relied upon."
 
Similarly, it is mentioned in Nihayat al-Muhtaj (8/135): "If a small piece is cut from the fat-tail to help it grow larger, the most well-founded view is that the sacrifice remains valid, as was given in a formal legal verdict (Fatwa) by my father [Shihab al-Din al-Ramli], may Allah be pleased with him. This is proven by the jurists' maxim: 'The loss of a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm.'"
 
In cases where there is doubt as to whether the portion cut was large or small, the animal is still deemed valid for sacrifice. It is noted in Hashiyat al-Shubramallisi ‘ala Nihayat al-Muhtaj (Vol.8/P.135):
 
"This matter requires careful consideration, but the closer and more correct view is that it is valid. This is because soundness is the default state for the animal from which the piece was cut, and it aligns with what usually occurs—namely, that the part removed to help the fat-tail grow larger is naturally very small." And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on leaving the Sunnah prayer of Dhuhr due to fatigue?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
According to the general rule, a Muslim should strive to maintain the Sunnah prayers before and after the obligatory prayers (al-sunan al-qabliyyah wa al-ba'diyyah). One is permitted to pray them sitting from the outset, but if one leaves them due to severe fatigue, there is no objection to doing so. It is recommended (mustahabb) to make up (qadā') a time-bound supererogatory prayer (nafl mu'aqqat) at any time if it was missed.
Al-Shirbīnī (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "If a time-bound supererogatory prayer is missed, it is recommended to make it up according to the more authoritative view (al-azhar), based on the hadith recorded in the two Ṣaḥīḥs: 'Whoever sleeps through a prayer or forgets it should pray it when he remembers it.' This is also supported by the fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) made up the two rak'ahs of Fajr when he and his companions overslept in the valley and missed the dawn prayer until the sun had risen [narrated by Abū Dāwūd with an authentic chain]." And Allah, the Most High, knows best.

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